The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-11-04
JACKS REFORMATION.
a Woman That I'D Fight for Him
w orth Treatin' White"

bC4s
The speaker was man apparently
sixty years of age, but his tall sinewy
form stood erect, and, Notwithstanding
his gray hairs, it was plain to the cas-
ual observer that old Jim Ganey was
good for several years yet.
1t was at the close of an autumn dav.
when a party who had been working
the "big-road| halted for roll-call.
The road stretched itself out for sew
oral miles over flint hills, along pic
turesque valleys, and across streams
that were innocent OF all bridges, other
than the primitive foot-log. Twice
every year old Jim Ganey called upon
all able-bodied citizens of Heelstring
district, between the ages of twenty
one and fifty years, to work the road.
And such road working it was! There
was no turnpike to keep in condition.
There was no road-tax, except such as
old Jim levied in the form of labor
upon the sturdy natives. At seven
o'clock in the morning all hands as
sembled at the point where the road
crossed the district line. Some brought
picks, others axes, still others scythes,
spades; in fact what ever happened to
oe the handiest when they left home, Oh
would be the easiest handled during
the day. Every man supplied his own
tools and used them to suit himself.
During the day the entire BODY
marched over the eight miles of road.
Occasionally Ganey would point out a
stump or large stone, which he de-
sired removed, and there was no
tioeable increase in his interest in Off
cial duties when they came in the vicin-
lty of his own home; but usually the
men were left to make their own selec.
tion of work. Some, who had brought
no tools, confined themselves to throw
ing out loose stones; others occasional
ly cut three notches on convenient
trees at the roadside, with never a
thought of the royal origin of the Gus
tom. Some of the men even brought
horses along and rode the greater por.
ton OF the way, but contrived to claim
their attendance.
1t was after the roll had been called
that the party. fell to discussing Jack
darkness, the only absentee. 1t was
clear case of being conspicuous by
his absence, and Jacks family affairs
were weighed in the balance of Heel
string public opinion, and found woe.
fully wanting.
what is the matter with Harkness?''
asked Dick Archer, 'mew comer,'
who had recently arrived from the
'Western Reserve"
IVY I'll tell ye!' exclaimed Abe
Thorn. He come over here from
'Jinin' county, an bought a piece O
land down on. Beaveo creek; but h,
hain't no manner account. He won
half work; he drinks the worst article
'of cross-holer Ticker he can skier up
he won't work the road, an he lick.
his woman"
'When she don't clean him up,
suggested Ganey; ''for I've hearn tina
the old woman amt no SLOUGH in thes
here family misunderstanding; bu
then there wouldn't be any thing il
that F." And the old man shook hi
head doubtfully.
"Well, eff wee regelate him little
! think the old woman would regelat
'orself, said Bill Hankins. "Tm il
favor of givin' any Teller that whoop
his woman dose of his own medi
cine.
Before the war;" said Ganey, "w
us't to take hand in sich matters, an
3est after, when things was kinder on
settled; but l tell We this here thing G
takin' the law into our own hands,
mighty onsartin-mighty onsartin"
II move this meetin' come to orde
to consider Harkness's case" suggest
cd Thorn.
You hear the motion" said the oil
man, "All in favor say aye"
There was a rousing response.
"All opposed had better git up an
dust, an keep their mouths shet be
Sides" After 4 pause, during whic
nobody "dusted,n Ganey added: II az
PINT myself chairman. Gentlemen 20
win sit down."
The men scattered themselves owe
fallen trees, stumps and stones, fey
crouching down upon the ground.
Bill Hankins. first took the foor-o
groumd-and presented the entire sui
ject in manner that called forth tn
admiration of all Heelstring; for Bi
was considered fright smart talker
He rceited the history of Harkne.
from beginning to end, and DIVE
strongly upon the fact that he had +,
peatedly whipped his wife, who boz
scars in evidence thereof. He concl,
ded with a proposition to call on ii
subject in body, and take him OF
and give him q 'genteel thrashin'."
Abe Thorn followed in the san
vein, endorsing Bills propositio
warmly Then there was Ion
pause. For it is noticeable fact tn;
however free men may be in inform
ally expressing their views the M
ment they are thrust into an organize
public meeting, the majority are owe
awed, become nervous, and, in a mea
ure, loose their power OF speech. TIL
was especially true of the Heelstrin!
ers.
LEES hear from Mister Archer" SUI
gested the chairman.
Archer had been in the Heelstrir
district but few months, and, not v
being subject to road-tax, had be,
working as a substitute for neighbo
This phase of life was something ne
to him, and be scarcely knew what
say. He respected law and order abo
all Other things, and he could not e
dorse the proposition of Hankins Al